2008 Victory Vision: Refreshingly Original Take on Luxury Touring Bike

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Oct 30, 2009

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Long, low and fearlessly styled, Victory's all-new Vision intends to play hardball against the touring flagships from BMW, Harley-Davidson and Honda. But don't let its slick, fashion-forward bodywork fool you: The 450 miles we logged on Vision's Street (pictured below at right) and Touring (above) models were a surprisingly visceral experience.

The heart of the Vision—both visually and emotionally—is a throbbing, 1,731-cc, air-cooled V-twin. Exposed within the bodywork for all to see, the fuel-injected, 92-hp mill warms your calves and thumps out a guttural song, providing 90 percent of its 109 lb.-ft. of torque at a mere 2,000 rpm. Twisting the throttle delivers hearty acceleration in any gear, though the Vision's personality is better suited for a laid-back cruise than a stoplight drag race. Linked brakes take the guesswork out of panic stops, but in adherence to old-school bike-building habits, ABS is not an option. To smooth out urban potholes, Victory developed a mono air shock-equipped rear suspension. It's adjusted by inflation: For a stiffer ride, simply pump compressed air into the system via a Schroeder valve. And that's handy when you're riding two-up, loaded with gear.

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Despite weighing in at a leviathan 800-plus pounds, the Vision's low center of gravity and 26.5-in. seat height enable surprisingly easy maneuverability. Large floorboards are roomy enough to encourage hamstring and quadriceps stretches during long rides, and generously padded seating surfaces minimize any saddle soreness. The adjustable windshield (with optional electronic control) modulates ventilation and turbulence levels. Dainty folding Lexan winglets shield the knees from wind, and the sound of rushing air can be counteracted with options like XM satellite radio, iPod connectivity and, of course, a pair of good ol' fashioned high-flow exhaust pipes. —Basem Wasef